Great Britains Beijing-bound sailors will enjoy a Royal send off after confirmation that HRH The Princess Royal will be attending the 2008 Sail For Gold Ball.

Her Royal Highness will join around 800 guests at the Hilton on Park Lane, London for the fifth Sail for Gold Ball on Wednesday 11 June as Britains 24-strong sailing team receive their traditional black tie farewell before heading to this summers Olympics.

All sailors selected to represent Britain at the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games will be joined at the prestigious event by guests from the worlds of commerce, politics, the arts and media for what is always a memorable occasion to celebrate past achievements and toast future success.

The inaugural Sail for Gold Ball was staged in 1992 ahead of the Barcelona Games and for the third successive Ball, Peter Harrison, Chairman and founder of GBR Challenge and the Peter Harrison Foundation, will be the events Principal Sponsor.

The Ball also doubles up as a major fundraising event to help support athletes who may already be at the top of their game to those whose time will come at 2012 and beyond.

HRH The Princess Royal is the President of the Royal Yachting Association and also attended the 2004 Ball ahead of the Athens Olympics, where Britains sailors went on to win five medals.

The event is always a sell out but you can still offer your support by means of a donation to the British Olympic and Paralympic team sailors on the occasion of the 2008 Sail for Gold Ball.

For further information on making a donation or the Sail for Gold Ball contact Gavia Wilkinson-Cox, Event Director by email or call 01983 299961.